Credibility / Realism: Are your character's actions believable to the reader? Do we understand the reasons he/she does what she does?
Historical Accuracy: Do you include convincing and accurate historical details in your "historical fiction"?
Include at least one detail (image or dialogue) that shows each of the following factors in your character's life:
social factors
political factors
economic factors
cultural factors
daily life
Creativity: Are your character, your events, and your writing imaginative, full of images, drama?
Collaboration: Are you giving good feedback--based on the feedback questions--to your assigned peer review partners?
Name: Iwane Matsui Age: 60 Gender: Male Occupation: General of Imperial Japanese Army Appearance: short hair, small head, small figure, small eyes, very attractive mustache. Location: Lived in Japan, until he was allocated in China for Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Seems very cruel. Also seems very intelligent with militaristic tactics. Family: Samurai retainer of Tokugawa family. Education:Graduated 9th class of Imperial Japanese Army Academy. Languages you speak: Japanese Your main concerns at this time and in life: Victory of Second Sino-Japanese War, delivery of natural resources to Imperial Japan Portrait (an image that you and we can live with): Above Height: About 5'3'' Weight: About 125 pounds. Nationality: Japan Background: He was born in Aichi prefecture.
He was the sixth son of a former Tokugawa samurai of Owari han.
He graduated Imperial Japanese Army Academy.
He became commanding officer in 1919.
He retired in 1935, but in 1937, he was recalled to duty for the war of Second Sino-Japanese War.
DIARY
Date: 6th July 1937
Description: One day before the Second Sino-Chinese Japanese War
The time has arrived... Here I am, writing my diary one day before the grand battle against China. Although General Seishiro Itagaki has already influenced over Manchuria in 1931, our grand nation of Imperial Japan could not be satisfied with the size of market Manchuria possesses. What we need, at this critical situation, is grander market, grander source of natural resources, and thus greater Imperial Japanese Army. The United States and British Malaya prevent us from getting either oil or rubber. Japan can’t be dependable to international relations. It is now the time for us to be independent. At this moment, my heart is burning with patriotism. I will destroy China. I will ...
Date: 7th July 1937
Description: The first day of the war
Since the Imperial Japan didn’t declare war on China, Chiang Kai-shek should have been rather furious about us. Well, why should our great people care about those rubbish Chinese? How could in Shinto’s name those inferior creatures dare to be as same as us? My minimum objective in this war is to conquer Northwest China and Manchuria once again. And hopefully, it would solve our problem of rapidly growing population...
Date: 8th July 1937
Description: Unexpected snag
I thought Chinese would not be any problem. I was wrong; they were well united and vigorous. I should not let myself become loose... Our goal of exterminating communism from Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany should be achieved. I’m hearing rumors that Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong is uniting their armies.. it is going to be a hard one. I can feel it...
Date: 15th July 1937
Description: A brilliant idea
One of reason why Japan could carry out so many wars at the same time is because of our tactic of acquiring weaponries and food as we march through the enemies. That way, we could save Japan’s own resources. We have killed about 5,000 Chinese civillians so far. I ordered my soldiers not to bother using bullets killing them. I ordered them to use knife attached in front of their given guns. Other effective way of killing them would be just beating them to death, burning them, drowning them, ect. There are so many cheap ways to kill those cheap, useless Chinese. Ha!
Date: 23th September 1937
Description: Getting close to Nanjing..
We have already dominated few coastal areas of China. I need to work harder. No sleep for me tonight, I have to think over my tactics...
Date: 2nd October 1937
Description: Unit 731
I’m carrying out a covert plan called Maruta Plan. I’ve seen many deaths of Chinese people, and we have imprisoned many Chinese people. Well, how could we use them? I’ve brought some smart doctors and scientists from Japan to here. And I think it is now the time for those worthless Chinese to self-actualize. Our scientists and doctors can test those prisoners both physically and mentally. Since they are same human beings, we would be able to carry out several experiments to find out how human body reacts or becomes in certain conditions. What would happen to human body if they are infected with certain diseases? What happens to frozen human body? What would fetus of a woman who has been pregnant for 5 months look like? What happens if man’s pennis is cut off? What happens if limbs and legs change their places? What happen if part of human’s brain is cut? What happen if lung and kidney change their places? I’m already shivering with excitement to find them out. Look at this!
Date: December 13th 1937
Description: Nanjing Massacre begins
In the past few months, my soldiers have been craving for girls and violence. And here we are today, all so crazy and blissful! I set them free. They were wild and inexorable. I hope this would give them good morale for them to fight better. Here I’d like to cherish this memory by including this photo..
Look at the power I possess! How great! HAHAHA!
And this is the photo of us entering Nanking. How awesome we are.
Date: 20th December 1937
Description: Funny statistic
I’ve heard a funny story from one of my soldier. He said on December 17th, there were more than 1,000 rapes by my soldiers unto the Chinese women. How vigorous my soldiers are! 1,000 a day? I was very impressed.
Date: January 25th 1938
Description: Massacre, though not officially, has come to an end
Well, it’s not too good of a news for us. But, war is not about massacre, and we’ve got to focus on the war, and we have enjoyed, perhaps, too much. A good news has arrived today on my desk. During the massacre, it is estimated that 300,000 Chinese were killed. Perhaps it had threatened the Chinese enough. Oh.. talking about massacre, I remember a pregnant woman got stabbed 18 times into her inflated stomach. This incident was on Asahi Newspaper, too. Well, it was internationally derided, so I told the soldiers to be careful about killing pregnant. Oh, I also remember I received a letter from my beloved wife. She was asking if what happened in Nanking is true. I had no choice but to lie; I told her that my soldier had accidently harmed a pregnant woman, and that what Asahi Newspaper is saying is a little too much exaggerated. Albeit I may be a fearful soldier here, I am the most generous father in my family. Oh, how I miss my wife and my dear children.. 40 years ago, we were walking in the middle of the whirl of cherry blossom, enjoying our first date. I should go write my family a letter how it’s going here.
Date: 28th May 1938
Description: A Typical Day
Today was, perhaps, the most typical day I’ve had so far since I came to China. I woke up at 5:30 A.M., and spent 30 minutes reading Asahi Newspaper. As usual, the newspaper contained various propagandas that encourage our citizens to go for the war. I’m including one of today’s propaganda:
Then, it was time for me to eat breakfast. As I ate, I watched my soldiers training hard. After that, we moved toward Beijing. I was cautious of guerilla attacks by Kuomintang, so I divided my armies into five groups. With this tactic, as I learned from Imperial Japanese Army Academy, guerillas would soon be surrounded by my soldiers. But today, no sign of Chinese Army was present. We located a village, so I ordered my soldiers to have their lunch on their own. Another village to be worn out... those unworthy people deserve it. It’s one of Japan’s favorite propaganda, too. We define Chinese as unworthy bastards. Anyways, toward dinner, some of our spies reported that Mao Zedong’s current residence is near Shanghai.. Should I trust the source? Should I turn and head to Yenan? I discussed about it with my military advisors. We decided to bombard Yenan with our aeroplanes, but not change our direction. This type of discussion with military advisors are very typical, too. After these discussions, I usually go to bed, but I need to think over my tactics tonight....
Date: 8th August 1938
Description: Gando Special Force
There has been a reinforcement. Now I have more soldiers to command! But one interesting thing is that the new soldiers included not only Japanese, but also many Koreans. Isn’t it interesting? Koreans fighting for Japan? Well, it is a right thing. Inferiors serving superiors. I should put them into the front line for the next battle. That way I can save my Japanese soldiers!
Date: 17th February 1939
Description: Sex slaves...
How Could I, or my soldiers have survived in this filthy China so far? Ha! The only reasonable answer would be from our sexual satisfaction. Every night different girl. My great country, Imperial Japan, has sent thousands of sex slaves for us. How generous! I’m guessing those slaves are from Korea, Philippine, etc. Oh, for Chinese sex slaves, we just get them here on the spot. And.... well, I feel kind of guilty for my wife, but, there’s no choice, right?
Date: 9th November 1939
Description: Summary of the War
So far, so good. The invasion of China by myself had a dramatic impact on me. So far, two years had passed. And I feel myself have changed a lot through the course of this war. I have become a harder person. By which means is that now I am capable of killing as many Chinese as I can. There is no slightest guilt in doing so, which is a very honorable thing! My nation’s benefiting from my deeds here, and so are the citizens of Japan. Some cities of China are now at Japan’s possession, and the future is bright.
Date: 20th September 1940
Description: Hope of Pacific War.
One of my objective in China is to get natural resources. It would have been an unbearable burden had it been the task given only to me. But I heard Japan’s marching for South East Asia. That means Japan can rely on Indochina, Malaya, Burma, and other South East Asian nations for natural resources, too. It is a happy news. I should cheer this event with my comrades.
Date: 26th July 1941
Description: Stupid Americans..
President Roosevelt of United States has set restrictions on Imperial Japan. The embargo would severely bog Imperial Japan down... I hate United States! That intrusive nation can’t be bothered to connive anything. The ‘Vinegar Joe’ Joseph Stilwell from United States has been helping China, too. I am very furious... They would have to pay for their interference. It will come at a high price. Perhaps I should discuss with Tojo Hideki... Perhaps he could do something!
Date: 8th December 1941
Description: Pearl Harbor Attack
Ha! Hahahaha! My dear friend, Tojo Hideki, has done a really good job. He sent me a letter saying that he sent Japanese airforce to Pearl Harbor in the Pacific Ocean yesterday and bombarded them. The most interesting fact is that Japan was not actually warring United States. He said that this attack achieved to destroy about 200 aircrafts. What an achievement! And this surprise attack on Pearl Harbor would draw United States into the war.. Wouldn’t it be too much for Japan, though? Well, I don’t care what those inferior scums do. Our great Imperial Japan would eventually take victory.
Date: 5th June 1942
Description: Barbaric Americans
Yet again, I saw another propaganda of our Imperial Japan. As usual, it was about how Americans are so barbarian-like. True that, all of Japanese citizens should know about it. They should know how filthy Americans are. I hope this gives Japanese citizens a mindset of never surrendering to enemies, especially to those barbarians.
Date: 8th May 1942
Description: Japan losing in Philippine
I heard a news that Japan withdrew from Philippine. That means Japan has lost one of its source to get natural resources. Well, that means I’ve got to work harder.
Date: 15th February 1943
Description: Chongqing bombing over...
I’ve been sending orders to my soldiers to bomb Chongqing since the beginning of the war. I had to stop it. Why? Because there are not enough bombs to waste! And now I can’t use bombs whenever I want. Bombarding one place have to be discussed with my military advisors because we are running out of bombs. I can’t fight myself since I’m the general. What do I do now?
Date: 20th March 1944
Description: This is getting harder.....
Well, First of all, I didn’t know this war would drag this long. Five years? In China? Gosh, what is this madness? Those crazy Chinese soldiers come out of nowhere. And no matter how many we kill, they just keep reappearing. On the other hand, the number of my soldiers are decreasing day by day. Every single night I spend in China is like torture to me. Nobody here gives a damn about the war anymore. And even my homeland doesn’t seem to care about the war in China anymore. Japan’s busy fighting other forces. So if Japan doesn’t care about this war, why should we? But Iwane Matsui, you’re a commander in chief. You’ve got to wake up. Don’t you remember? Always be thankful to your nation, to your Emperor. Look at the morale of your army. Don’t let yourself down. If you are down, your army’s going to be down, and then it’s over. WAKE UP!!
Date: 4th April 1944
Description: Oh my Shinto
I heard a terrible, terrible news. Aichi prefecture, the place I was born, got bombed. My families are there.... My ancestors’ tombs are there.... My son, my wife, my friends.... I can’t believe what’s happening. The Pacific War is turning against all of us. Look at what’s happening nowadays! All those nationalist, communist Chinese... Nobody knows whereabouts of my spies... guerillas keep threatening myself and my soldiers, there are increased reports of lost battles, etc. I hope it gets better..
Date: 7th May 1945
Description: The Fall of Germany
Our only ally had succumbed to enemies... What is going to happen next? Do we even have hope?
Date: 8th June 1945
Description: Imperial conference in Tokyo - We’re fighting til the end..
There was an announcement made in Imperial Conference. It is stated that we are fighting until the very end. There is going to be no surrender whatsoever. What is happening in China? Well, it is mostly give-and-take situation. We take over few towns, while we lose some towns. It is a never-ending war. I don’t know what to do.
Date: 22 June 1945
Description: Okinawa is taken.
Island hopping. USA’s another tactic to destroy Japan... Why do I care about what’s happening in other parts of Japan? Well, because here I have NOTHING to write about. Every day is the same. Some battles, some casualties, some bombing, some guerilla attacks. And I don’t fight myself, and I only hear reports from my soldiers. Some we win, and some other we lose. It’s all repeating. It is so boring as hell. Killing Chinese is not fun to me anymore. Decapitating for public warning is no use anymore since Chinese has seen that so many times. After -how many years has it been- 8 years, 8 freaking years I’ve been staying in China, doing useless things. What have I achieved so far? Well, few cities. Sending natural resources? Well, if Japan is bombarded throughout the country, what’s the use of collecting natural resources? What is the purpose of this war?? WHAT HAVE I FOUGHT FOR SO FAR? HAVE I DONE ONLY THIS?
Those heads are appearing in my dreams nowadays. I think I am sick. I think I am dying in China.
Date: 10th August 1945
Description: ATOMIC BOMB!
I heard a terrible news yet again. On 6th August, 4 days past from now, Hiroshima was bombed, with atomic bomb! And yesterday, Nagasaki was bombed with another atomic bomb. I remember visting Nagasaki. It used to be one of the largest port in Japan. I can’t believe what’s happening right now. I want this war over, RIGHT NOW. What is wrong with that fish-addict Emperor Hirohito? Why don’t we just surrender? I WANT THIS WAR OVER!!
Date: 2nd September 1945
Description: The End.
Japan surrendered. The war in China is thus over, too. I will be convicted as a war criminal, I know it. This 8 years has been the logest period in my life. But somehow, it feels like few days, especially when I look over my diary. I’m packing up as I’m writing this diary. The war is finally over. My diary’s over, too. What would world say about my deeds in China? Am I going to be executed? I don’t care; I’m too tired to think about that. The only thing I hope, the only thing I hope is that I be remembered as a hero of Japan....
1937-1945 (the diary must last)
Diary Grading Criteria:
Name: Iwane Matsui
Age: 60
Gender: Male
Occupation: General of Imperial Japanese Army
Appearance: short hair, small head, small figure, small eyes, very attractive mustache.
Location: Lived in Japan, until he was allocated in China for Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Seems very cruel. Also seems very intelligent with militaristic tactics.
Family: Samurai retainer of Tokugawa family.
Education:Graduated 9th class of Imperial Japanese Army Academy.
Languages you speak: Japanese
Your main concerns at this time and in life: Victory of Second Sino-Japanese War, delivery of natural resources to Imperial Japan
Portrait (an image that you and we can live with): Above
Height: About 5'3''
Weight: About 125 pounds.
Nationality: Japan
Background: He was born in Aichi prefecture.
He was the sixth son of a former Tokugawa samurai of Owari han.
He graduated Imperial Japanese Army Academy.
He became commanding officer in 1919.
He retired in 1935, but in 1937, he was recalled to duty for the war of Second Sino-Japanese War.
DIARY
Date: 6th July 1937
Description: One day before the Second Sino-Chinese Japanese War
The time has arrived... Here I am, writing my diary one day before the grand battle against China. Although General Seishiro Itagaki has already influenced over Manchuria in 1931, our grand nation of Imperial Japan could not be satisfied with the size of market Manchuria possesses. What we need, at this critical situation, is grander market, grander source of natural resources, and thus greater Imperial Japanese Army. The United States and British Malaya prevent us from getting either oil or rubber. Japan can’t be dependable to international relations. It is now the time for us to be independent. At this moment, my heart is burning with patriotism. I will destroy China. I will ...
Date: 7th July 1937
Description: The first day of the war
Since the Imperial Japan didn’t declare war on China, Chiang Kai-shek should have been rather furious about us. Well, why should our great people care about those rubbish Chinese? How could in Shinto’s name those inferior creatures dare to be as same as us? My minimum objective in this war is to conquer Northwest China and Manchuria once again. And hopefully, it would solve our problem of rapidly growing population...
Date: 8th July 1937
Description: Unexpected snag
I thought Chinese would not be any problem. I was wrong; they were well united and vigorous. I should not let myself become loose... Our goal of exterminating communism from Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany should be achieved. I’m hearing rumors that Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong is uniting their armies.. it is going to be a hard one. I can feel it...
Date: 15th July 1937
Description: A brilliant idea
One of reason why Japan could carry out so many wars at the same time is because of our tactic of acquiring weaponries and food as we march through the enemies. That way, we could save Japan’s own resources. We have killed about 5,000 Chinese civillians so far. I ordered my soldiers not to bother using bullets killing them. I ordered them to use knife attached in front of their given guns. Other effective way of killing them would be just beating them to death, burning them, drowning them, ect. There are so many cheap ways to kill those cheap, useless Chinese. Ha!
Description: Getting close to Nanjing..
We have already dominated few coastal areas of China. I need to work harder. No sleep for me tonight, I have to think over my tactics...
Date: 2nd October 1937
Description: Unit 731
I’m carrying out a covert plan called Maruta Plan. I’ve seen many deaths of Chinese people, and we have imprisoned many Chinese people. Well, how could we use them? I’ve brought some smart doctors and scientists from Japan to here. And I think it is now the time for those worthless Chinese to self-actualize. Our scientists and doctors can test those prisoners both physically and mentally. Since they are same human beings, we would be able to carry out several experiments to find out how human body reacts or becomes in certain conditions. What would happen to human body if they are infected with certain diseases? What happens to frozen human body? What would fetus of a woman who has been pregnant for 5 months look like? What happens if man’s pennis is cut off? What happens if limbs and legs change their places? What happen if part of human’s brain is cut? What happen if lung and kidney change their places? I’m already shivering with excitement to find them out. Look at this!
Date: December 13th 1937
Description: Nanjing Massacre begins
In the past few months, my soldiers have been craving for girls and violence. And here we are today, all so crazy and blissful! I set them free. They were wild and inexorable. I hope this would give them good morale for them to fight better. Here I’d like to cherish this memory by including this photo..
Look at the power I possess! How great! HAHAHA!
And this is the photo of us entering Nanking. How awesome we are.
Date: 20th December 1937
Description: Funny statistic
I’ve heard a funny story from one of my soldier. He said on December 17th, there were more than 1,000 rapes by my soldiers unto the Chinese women. How vigorous my soldiers are! 1,000 a day? I was very impressed.
Date: January 25th 1938
Description: Massacre, though not officially, has come to an end
Well, it’s not too good of a news for us. But, war is not about massacre, and we’ve got to focus on the war, and we have enjoyed, perhaps, too much. A good news has arrived today on my desk. During the massacre, it is estimated that 300,000 Chinese were killed. Perhaps it had threatened the Chinese enough. Oh.. talking about massacre, I remember a pregnant woman got stabbed 18 times into her inflated stomach. This incident was on Asahi Newspaper, too. Well, it was internationally derided, so I told the soldiers to be careful about killing pregnant. Oh, I also remember I received a letter from my beloved wife. She was asking if what happened in Nanking is true. I had no choice but to lie; I told her that my soldier had accidently harmed a pregnant woman, and that what Asahi Newspaper is saying is a little too much exaggerated. Albeit I may be a fearful soldier here, I am the most generous father in my family. Oh, how I miss my wife and my dear children.. 40 years ago, we were walking in the middle of the whirl of cherry blossom, enjoying our first date. I should go write my family a letter how it’s going here.
Date: 28th May 1938
Description: A Typical Day
Today was, perhaps, the most typical day I’ve had so far since I came to China. I woke up at 5:30 A.M., and spent 30 minutes reading Asahi Newspaper. As usual, the newspaper contained various propagandas that encourage our citizens to go for the war. I’m including one of today’s propaganda:
Then, it was time for me to eat breakfast. As I ate, I watched my soldiers training hard. After that, we moved toward Beijing. I was cautious of guerilla attacks by Kuomintang, so I divided my armies into five groups. With this tactic, as I learned from Imperial Japanese Army Academy, guerillas would soon be surrounded by my soldiers. But today, no sign of Chinese Army was present. We located a village, so I ordered my soldiers to have their lunch on their own. Another village to be worn out... those unworthy people deserve it. It’s one of Japan’s favorite propaganda, too. We define Chinese as unworthy bastards. Anyways, toward dinner, some of our spies reported that Mao Zedong’s current residence is near Shanghai.. Should I trust the source? Should I turn and head to Yenan? I discussed about it with my military advisors. We decided to bombard Yenan with our aeroplanes, but not change our direction. This type of discussion with military advisors are very typical, too. After these discussions, I usually go to bed, but I need to think over my tactics tonight....
Date: 8th August 1938
Description: Gando Special Force
There has been a reinforcement. Now I have more soldiers to command! But one interesting thing is that the new soldiers included not only Japanese, but also many Koreans. Isn’t it interesting? Koreans fighting for Japan? Well, it is a right thing. Inferiors serving superiors. I should put them into the front line for the next battle. That way I can save my Japanese soldiers!
Date: 17th February 1939
Description: Sex slaves...
How Could I, or my soldiers have survived in this filthy China so far? Ha! The only reasonable answer would be from our sexual satisfaction. Every night different girl. My great country, Imperial Japan, has sent thousands of sex slaves for us. How generous! I’m guessing those slaves are from Korea, Philippine, etc. Oh, for Chinese sex slaves, we just get them here on the spot. And.... well, I feel kind of guilty for my wife, but, there’s no choice, right?
Date: 9th November 1939
Description: Summary of the War
So far, so good. The invasion of China by myself had a dramatic impact on me. So far, two years had passed. And I feel myself have changed a lot through the course of this war. I have become a harder person. By which means is that now I am capable of killing as many Chinese as I can. There is no slightest guilt in doing so, which is a very honorable thing! My nation’s benefiting from my deeds here, and so are the citizens of Japan. Some cities of China are now at Japan’s possession, and the future is bright.
Date: 20th September 1940
Description: Hope of Pacific War.
One of my objective in China is to get natural resources. It would have been an unbearable burden had it been the task given only to me. But I heard Japan’s marching for South East Asia. That means Japan can rely on Indochina, Malaya, Burma, and other South East Asian nations for natural resources, too. It is a happy news. I should cheer this event with my comrades.
Date: 26th July 1941
Description: Stupid Americans..
President Roosevelt of United States has set restrictions on Imperial Japan. The embargo would severely bog Imperial Japan down... I hate United States! That intrusive nation can’t be bothered to connive anything. The ‘Vinegar Joe’ Joseph Stilwell from United States has been helping China, too. I am very furious... They would have to pay for their interference. It will come at a high price. Perhaps I should discuss with Tojo Hideki... Perhaps he could do something!
Date: 8th December 1941
Description: Pearl Harbor Attack
Ha! Hahahaha! My dear friend, Tojo Hideki, has done a really good job. He sent me a letter saying that he sent Japanese airforce to Pearl Harbor in the Pacific Ocean yesterday and bombarded them. The most interesting fact is that Japan was not actually warring United States. He said that this attack achieved to destroy about 200 aircrafts. What an achievement! And this surprise attack on Pearl Harbor would draw United States into the war.. Wouldn’t it be too much for Japan, though? Well, I don’t care what those inferior scums do. Our great Imperial Japan would eventually take victory.
Date: 5th June 1942
Description: Barbaric Americans
Yet again, I saw another propaganda of our Imperial Japan. As usual, it was about how Americans are so barbarian-like. True that, all of Japanese citizens should know about it. They should know how filthy Americans are. I hope this gives Japanese citizens a mindset of never surrendering to enemies, especially to those barbarians.
Date: 8th May 1942
Description: Japan losing in Philippine
I heard a news that Japan withdrew from Philippine. That means Japan has lost one of its source to get natural resources. Well, that means I’ve got to work harder.
Date: 15th February 1943
Description: Chongqing bombing over...
I’ve been sending orders to my soldiers to bomb Chongqing since the beginning of the war. I had to stop it. Why? Because there are not enough bombs to waste! And now I can’t use bombs whenever I want. Bombarding one place have to be discussed with my military advisors because we are running out of bombs. I can’t fight myself since I’m the general. What do I do now?
Date: 20th March 1944
Description: This is getting harder.....
Well, First of all, I didn’t know this war would drag this long. Five years? In China? Gosh, what is this madness? Those crazy Chinese soldiers come out of nowhere. And no matter how many we kill, they just keep reappearing. On the other hand, the number of my soldiers are decreasing day by day. Every single night I spend in China is like torture to me. Nobody here gives a damn about the war anymore. And even my homeland doesn’t seem to care about the war in China anymore. Japan’s busy fighting other forces. So if Japan doesn’t care about this war, why should we? But Iwane Matsui, you’re a commander in chief. You’ve got to wake up. Don’t you remember? Always be thankful to your nation, to your Emperor. Look at the morale of your army. Don’t let yourself down. If you are down, your army’s going to be down, and then it’s over. WAKE UP!!
Date: 4th April 1944
Description: Oh my Shinto
I heard a terrible, terrible news. Aichi prefecture, the place I was born, got bombed. My families are there.... My ancestors’ tombs are there.... My son, my wife, my friends.... I can’t believe what’s happening. The Pacific War is turning against all of us. Look at what’s happening nowadays! All those nationalist, communist Chinese... Nobody knows whereabouts of my spies... guerillas keep threatening myself and my soldiers, there are increased reports of lost battles, etc. I hope it gets better..
Date: 7th May 1945
Description: The Fall of Germany
Our only ally had succumbed to enemies... What is going to happen next? Do we even have hope?
Date: 8th June 1945
Description: Imperial conference in Tokyo - We’re fighting til the end..
There was an announcement made in Imperial Conference. It is stated that we are fighting until the very end. There is going to be no surrender whatsoever. What is happening in China? Well, it is mostly give-and-take situation. We take over few towns, while we lose some towns. It is a never-ending war. I don’t know what to do.
Date: 22 June 1945
Description: Okinawa is taken.
Island hopping. USA’s another tactic to destroy Japan... Why do I care about what’s happening in other parts of Japan? Well, because here I have NOTHING to write about. Every day is the same. Some battles, some casualties, some bombing, some guerilla attacks. And I don’t fight myself, and I only hear reports from my soldiers. Some we win, and some other we lose. It’s all repeating. It is so boring as hell. Killing Chinese is not fun to me anymore. Decapitating for public warning is no use anymore since Chinese has seen that so many times. After -how many years has it been- 8 years, 8 freaking years I’ve been staying in China, doing useless things. What have I achieved so far? Well, few cities. Sending natural resources? Well, if Japan is bombarded throughout the country, what’s the use of collecting natural resources? What is the purpose of this war?? WHAT HAVE I FOUGHT FOR SO FAR? HAVE I DONE ONLY THIS?
Those heads are appearing in my dreams nowadays. I think I am sick. I think I am dying in China.
Date: 10th August 1945
Description: ATOMIC BOMB!
I heard a terrible news yet again. On 6th August, 4 days past from now, Hiroshima was bombed, with atomic bomb! And yesterday, Nagasaki was bombed with another atomic bomb. I remember visting Nagasaki. It used to be one of the largest port in Japan. I can’t believe what’s happening right now. I want this war over, RIGHT NOW. What is wrong with that fish-addict Emperor Hirohito? Why don’t we just surrender? I WANT THIS WAR OVER!!
Date: 2nd September 1945
Description: The End.
Japan surrendered. The war in China is thus over, too. I will be convicted as a war criminal, I know it. This 8 years has been the logest period in my life. But somehow, it feels like few days, especially when I look over my diary. I’m packing up as I’m writing this diary. The war is finally over. My diary’s over, too. What would world say about my deeds in China? Am I going to be executed? I don’t care; I’m too tired to think about that. The only thing I hope, the only thing I hope is that I be remembered as a hero of Japan....